Hell Let Loose: Vietnam – all NVA classes, weapons, levels and tunnels explained

The North Vietnamese Army – NVA In Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is not simply the US side with other weapons. The game deliberately relies on asymmetric mechanics.

While the US can use its own helicopter units, the NVA has its own helicopter units. Tunnelnetzwerken a completely different tool for mobility and surprise attacks.

This guide explains all HLL Vietnam NVA classes, their tasks, important weapon unlocks, the weight system and the special role of the tunnels.

Data notice: The role structure and the asymmetrical fractional design have been officially confirmed. The specific weapons unlock levels come in addition to the currently maintained community wiki of Dexerto. Balance patches can change individual values.

How many NVA classes are there?

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam officially performs 17 roles. Two of them – Logistics Officer and Pilot – belong, however, to the US-exclusive helicopter unit.

The NVA is ready for launch 15 reels Available:

Command

• Commander

Infantry

• Squad Leader
• Rifleman
• Grenadier
• Engineer
• Medic
• Specialist
• Machine Gunner

Recon

• Spotter
• Sniper

Armour

• Tank Commander
• Crewman

Mortar Squad

• Observer
• Support
• Gunner

The NVA has no helicopter roles. Its asymmetrical counterpart is the tunnel networks.

This is how the NVA inventory and weight system works

The basic equipment system works on the same principle on both fractions.

Depending on the role, different categories are available, for example:

• Primary weapon
• Secondary weapon
• Equipment
• Utility
• Lethal Equipment
• fest gebundene Rollenwerkzeuge

Equipment costs Weight Capacity and certain objects are unlocked only with higher roller steps.

Before release, Expression Games has already adapted the system by accelerating early levels, improving the starting weight of individual roles and making selected weapons easier.

The consequence for players: A high role level means not only additional weapons, but more flexibility in the composition of the entire kit.

All NVA roles explained

1. Commander

The NVA Commander leads the entire team, coordinates squads and strategic capabilities.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• IZH 58 – Level 7

Among the guiding tools is the field pad.

2. Squad Leader

The squad leader leads an infantry squad and is responsible for communication, spawn structure and markers.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• IZH 58 – Level 7

Here, too, the leadership function is more important than the pure weapon output. For Squad Leader, the corresponding tutorial must be completed.

3. Rifleman

The Rifleman is the classic frontline role and is well suited for entry.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• Type 53 – Level 4
• Type 53 with N4 Rifle Launcher – Level 10

The N4 Rifle Launcher is the most important later unlock and expands the role with explosive range.

4. Grenadier

The Grenadier is one of the most versatile NVA roles for explosive and anti-vehicle tasks.

Important weapons:

• Type 53 with N4 Rifle Launcher – Launch
• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• RPG-02 – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• K50M Drum – Level 6
• IZH 58 – Level 7

In addition, depending on the progression, the role can access mines, saddle and other explosive equipment.

5. Engineer

The engineer takes over construction, repair and explosive tasks.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• K50M Drum – Level 6
• IZH 58 – Level 7
• Type 53 with N4 Rifle Launcher – Level 10

Depending on the loadout, his tools include Hammer, Wrench, Blow Torch, mines and explosives.

6. Medic

The Medic keeps the squad combat-ready, caring for the wounded and reviving off-set players.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4

The central equipment of the role remains medical utility.

7. Specialist

The Specialist combines support tasks with special armament.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• LPO-50 Flamethrower – Level 7
• Type 53 with N4 Rifle Launcher – Level 10

The LPO-50 is the most striking unlock and according to current community documentation exclusively assigned to the specialist.

8. Machine Gunner

The Machine Gunner is responsible for permanent suppression fire.

Important weapons:

• RPD – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M Drum – Level 6
• IZH 58 – Level 7

The RPD is the classic primary weapon of the role.

Recon

9. Spotter

The Spotter leads the Recon team and focuses on reconnaissance, opposing spawn structures and information.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• IZH 58 – Level 7
• Type 53 with N4 Rifle Launcher – Level 10

10. Sniper

The sniper works with the spotter behind the front and fights high-quality targets.

Important weapons:

• Type 53 PU – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• IZH 58 – Level 7

The Type 53 PU is the NVA’s central sniper weapon.

Armour

11. Tank Commander

The Tank Commander leads the NVA tank crew.

Important personal weapons:

• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Level 3
• IZH 58 – Level 7

The real role is in vehicle guidance, target selection and coordination.

12. Crewman

Crewman occupy driver, gunner or other vehicle positions.

Important personal weapons:

• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Level 3
• IZH 58 – Level 7

NVA Mortar Squad

13. Mortar Observer

The Observer coordinates the mortar unit and target information.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• K50M – Level 3
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• IZH 58 – Level 7
• Type 53 with N4 Rifle Launcher – Level 10

14. Mortar Support

Mortar Support supplies and supports the mortar unit.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• IZH 58 – Level 7

15. Mortar Gunner

The Mortar Gunner operates the mortar and provides indirect fire support.

Important weapons:

• Type 56 W/ Bayonet – Start
• Type 54 – Start
• Type 53 w/Bayonet – Level 4
• IZH 58 – Level 7

The most important NVA weapons at a glance

Waffe	Typ	Typische Nutzung
Type 56 W/ Bayonet	Sturmgewehr	Standard weapon of numerous roles
Type 54	Pistole	Side-weapon of many roles
Type 53 / Type 53 w/Bayonet	Gewehr	Numerous roles from intermediate levels
Type 53 + N4	Rifle Grenade Launcher	Grenadier and later special unlocks
K50M	Maschinenpistole	Many roles from level 3
K50M Drum	Maschinenpistole	Selected roles from level 6
RPD	Maschinengewehr	Machine Gunner
RPG-02	Anti-Tank Launcher	Grenadier
Type 53 PU	Sniper rifle	Sniper
IZH 58	Shotgun	Numerous roles from level 7
LPO-50	Flammenwerfer	Specialist, Level 7

NVA equipment by role and access

Also in the NVA, weapon unlocks are more clearly documented than utility. Tools and special equipment depend mainly on role and loadout. The table therefore separates confirmed function from non-reliably occupied individual levels.

Equipment	Role	Typical roles	Accessibility
Field pad and guide tools	Guidance, markings and coordination	Commander and leadership roles	Role-/loadout-bound; no separate player level occupied
Tunnelling equipment	Build a tunnel network and prepare for surprise attacks	NVA management and construction roles	Fraction- and role-related mechanics, no vehicle and no separate level unlock
Hammer, wrench and repair tools	Construction, repair and support	Engineer	Roll/loadout-bound
Mines, saddles and explosives	Combat positions and vehicles	Grenadier, Engineer, Specialist	depending on loadout and role progress; no uniform utility level
Medizinische Utility	Caring for and resuscitation of wounded	Medic	Roll/loadout-bound
Ammunition and mortar equipment	Nachschub sowie indirektes Feuer	Versorgungsrollen, Mortar Observer, Support, Gunner	Access via role and unit, not a common player level

NVA vehicles and access

Fahrzeuggruppe	Use	Competent roles	Freischaltung
Bewaffnete Patrouillenboote	Struggle and Movement on Rivers	situative Bootsbesatzung	Confirmed for both factions; built or deployed in the round, no player level
Gepanzerte Bodenfahrzeuge	Mobile firepower and protection	Tank Commander, Crewman	Accessible via tank unit and map spawn, no player level
APCs	Future Armoured Transportation	Not yet exhaustively described	Roadmap milestone 3.0 announced, no live unlock yet

Wichtig: The NVA does not have a helicopter unit. The tunnel network is an asymmetrical fractional mechanism and not a vehicle.

Advertised NVA content

Content	Roadmap	Classification
Type 56 SKS	Milestone 1.5	announced for the NVA; role/level assignment still open
MAT-49	Milestone 3.0	announced for the NVA; more precisely, unlock still open
SVD Dragunov	Milestone 3.0	announced for the NVA; exact role/level assignment still open

Further maps, units and system changes are available in our HLL-Vietnam-Roadmap.

The great special feature of the NVA: Tunnel

The NVA does not have a helicopter unit. Instead, it can Tunnelnetzwerke build and use it for covert troop movements.

This mechanic is the central asymmetric counterpart to the US helicopters:

• US troops move quickly and visibly through the air.
• NVA troops can be laid covertly through tunnels.

After the crossplay play test, the system has already been weakened. The developers announced for the launch, among other things:

• Reduce the maximum number of tunnel connections from 5 to 4
• Reduce tunnel cruising speed
• Remove the Commander’s Emergency Tunnel capability first and revise it later

This shows how strongly the tunnels influence the entire balancing.

Also important: Immediately after the launch, a specific server crash cause related to NVA tunnels was identified. The developers have now corrected this process; patch 1.2 contains further tunnel and stability fixes. This remains a technical error and is independent of the playful balance of the tunnel mechanics.

Which NVA class is suitable for beginners?

For new players, the Rifleman A good start.

Then you can specialize depending on your interest:

• Medic For support
• Engineer For construction and explosives
• Grenadier For explosive and anti-tank tasks
• Machine Gunner For repression
• Specialist For support and special weapons
• Recon For intelligence
• Armour For vehicle combat
• Mortar Squad For indirect fire support

Conclusion: NVA classes live from asymmetric gameplay

The NVA is not a copy of the US site. Type 56, RPD, RPG-02, K50M, Type 53 and LPO-50 give the faction its own weapon profile – and the tunnels change the overall strategic mobility.

The Weight system also ensures that an unlocked item is not automatically the best choice. The higher a roll is leveled, the greater the choice, but equipment and utility must continue to be weighed against each other.

FAQ: NVA classes in Hell Let Loose Vietnam

How many NVA roles are there?

At launch, the NVA will have 15 of the 17 officially listed roles available. The two helicopter roles are US exclusive.

What anti-tank weapon does the NVA use?

The grenadier can use the RPG-02.

What role will the LPO-50 flamethrower play?

The Specialist unlocks the LPO-50 at Level 7 according to current community documentation.

What is the biggest difference between NVA and USA?

The US has helicopter rolls; the NVA instead relies on tunnel networks for covert and fast troop movements.

Which NVA role is suitable for beginners?

The Rifleman is a good place to start before you commit to grenadier, engineer, specialist or other specialty tasks.

How do NVA tunnels basically work?

Tunnels enable covert troop movements and form the asymmetrical counterpart to the US helicopters.

What vehicles does the NVA use?

Depending on the map, boats and armored ground vehicles are available. Upcoming APCs are announced as roadmap content.

Can Weapons Levels Change?

Yes. Community data on loadouts and unlocks should be re-examined after larger balance patches.

Sources

Official

• Hell Let Loose: Vietnam – Steam page / roles and asymmetric mechanics: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3079210/Hell_Let_Loose_Vietnam/
• Gameplay Roles Showcase: https://www.hellletloose.com/blog/hllv-gameplay-showcase
• Road To Launch Update: https://www.hellletloose.com/blog/road-to-launch-dev-update
• Official Reddit post on the road-to-launch update: https://www.reddit.com/r/HellLetLooseVietnam/comments/1vb6pud/road_to_launch_update_crossplay_playtest_review/
• Launch Dev Comms for NVA Tunnel Crashes: https://www.reddit.com/r/HellLetLooseVietnam/comments/1vodwgl/dev_comms_thread_launch_updates_hell_let_loose/

Complementary Community Data

• Dexerto Hell Let Loose Vietnam Wiki – roles, weapons and unlock level: https://www.dexerto.com/wikis/hell-let-loose-vietnam/
• Reddit discussion on the Weight System: https://www.reddit.com/r/HellLetLooseVietnam/comments/1sy0ts0/the_loadout_system/

Data quality: Roles and asymmetric mechanics are officially documented. Concrete weapon unlock levels are complementary community data and should be re-examined after larger balance patches.